Notwithstanding the phone call between PM Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak last Friday, the much talked about visit by the UK PM to India is not on the cards until the Free Trade Agreement is finalised and ready to be signed.
Sunak has also been kept busy by developments in West Asia and there are speculations that a trip in the middle of a conflict may not be feasible, ET has learnt.
There are reports that the deal could be sealed in December after the state assembly elections. The two sides have differences whether taxation will be included in a proposed investment protection pact, as well as the UK’s demand that tariffs be cut on electric vehicle exports to India.
Launched on January 13, 2022, the India-U.K. FTA began its latest 13th round of negotiations on September 18. The two sides were earlier looking to conclude FTA negotiations in October for a visit by Sunak in October last week ahead of Diwali. But final deal is yet to be
India-UK bilateral trade has increased from $17.5 billion in 2021-22 to $20.36 billion in 2022-23. With the talks reaching a critical juncture, both sides are now discussing contentious issues like tariffs on alcohol, Scotch whisky, rules of origin and visas for professionals.
Sunak spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last Friday afternoon during which both leaders discussed the need to "de-escalate" tensions and the importance of protecting innocent civilians in the Israel-Gaza conflict
The phone call centred around the situation in the Middle East but also covered bilateral ties and the progress being made towards an "ambitious" deal in the ongoing India-UK free trade agreement FTA negotiations.
The leaders discussed recent progress on free trade agreement negotiations. They agreed on the importance of securing an ambitious deal that benefitted both sides, according to a UK government readout. Sunak would likely showcase the deal as a benefit of Brexit.
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Source Name : Economic Times